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Photos: Cuba Dog Show

Hundreds of people from all over Cuba and several other countries came to a scruffy field near Revolution Plaza in Havana this past week to preen and fuss over the shih tzus, beagles, schnauzers and cocker spaniels that are the annual Fall Canine Expo’s star attractions. There were even about a dozen bichon habaneros, a mid-sized dog bred on the island since the 17th century. As dog lovers talked shop, the merely curious strolled the field, checking out the more than 50 breeds on display while carefully dodging the prodigious output of so many dogs. The four-day competition, which ended Sunday, included competitions in several breeding categories. “This is a small, poor country, but Cubans love dogs,” said Miguel Calvo, the president of Cuba’s dog federation, which organized the show.